Sunset Manta Snorkel and Scuba Diving Trip

Sunset Manta Snorkel and Scuba Diving Trip lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Sunset Manta Snorkel and Scuba Diving Trip ranges from $129 to $159 per person, depending on the option you choose.

The minimum age for Sunset Manta Snorkel and Scuba Diving Trip is 3 years old.

Sunset Manta Snorkel and Scuba Diving Trip meets at Honokohau Marina, 74-381 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kona, HI – F Dock, park near fuel pumps, walk upstairs above the Deli.

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour

No prior experience is required to join this manta ray snorkel and scuba diving trip. The in-water guides provide a full snorkeling briefing before you enter the water, and novice snorkelers receive hands-on instruction on how to properly use a mask and snorkel during the pre-dive briefing at the manta site. The dive and snorkel site is in a calm, sheltered bay with gentle conditions, making it accessible for beginners. Snorkelers float on the surface using lightboards, while scuba divers settle on the sandy bottom at roughly thirty feet. All snorkel and scuba equipment, along with wetsuits, are included in the trip so you do not need to bring your own gear.

This trip is open to guests between the ages of 3 and 90, making it suitable for a wide range of participants. However, anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while on board and in the water. Guests who are more than five months pregnant are required to consult a doctor and provide a signed doctor's note confirming they are cleared for a boat trip before joining. The boat is not wheelchair accessible, and all guests must be able to take a large step onto the boat from the dock and climb a short ladder unassisted to board from the water.

You should arrive at the dock already wearing your swimwear, ready to get in the water. The tour operators strongly recommend a rash guard and leggings with built-in sun protection rather than sunscreen, both for daytime sun coverage and to add a little warmth during the evening portion of the trip. If you do bring sunscreen, make sure it is reef safe. Towels are not included in the trip, so you should bring your own. The boat is equipped with a hot freshwater shower for rinsing off after your time in the water, so you will have a way to clean up before the ride back to the harbor.

Check-in begins at 5:30 pm, with departure from the dock at 6:00 pm for a leisurely cruise to the manta site. The boat arrives at Garden Eel Cove around 6:25 pm, where guests enjoy snacks, drinks, and an educational briefing from Captain Michael about manta rays before entering the water at 7:00 pm. The actual time in the water with the mantas runs from roughly 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm, allowing guests to watch the sunset during the pre-water briefing. After rinsing off and grabbing a snack, the boat returns to the harbor, arriving back at approximately 8:05 pm. The total trip duration is 2.5 hours.

The trip departs from Honokohau Marina, located at 74-381 Kealakehe Parkway in Kailua-Kona, roughly four miles south of the Kona airport. The marina entrance is marked by a large sign featuring a marlin and has a stoplight at the intersection of the highway and Kealakehe Parkway. Once you enter the marina, stay left to reach the south side. Look for the F Dock Deli and Fuel station, then turn right into the parking area and park near the fuel pumps. Parking is free of charge. From there, walk upstairs above the Deli and down the hall to find the boat. The tour recommends calling ahead if you have trouble locating the vessel.